Electrode holder



Sept. 12, 1944. c. P. GIBBERT ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed April 17, 1943 p n a Patented Sept. 12, 1944 ELECTRODE HOLDER Christian r. Gibbert, Sellersville, 1a., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 17, 1943, Serial No. 483,412

14 Claims My invention relates to electrode holders of improved construction. It is particularly suited for use in gas-arc torches wherein gas is sup- 7 plied through a combined electrode holder and nozzle about the arcin terminal of an electrode supported in the nozzle. An atomic hydrogen torchis one example'of such a gas-arc torch.

An atomic hydrogen torch is particularly suited for utilizing the heating efiects oi flames of atomic hydrogen. An atomic hydrogen flame may be produced by disassociating hydrogen to its atomic state through the agency of an electric arc and then allowing the disassociated hydrogento recombine or burn. Upon recombination to its molecular state, the atomic hyatomic hydrogen torch embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the parts constituting the. electrode holder and nozzle of this torch; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electrode clamping element forming part thereof; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of my invention'in which a different arrangement of parts embodying the same working principle has been employed; and Fig. 51s a perspective view of the electrode clamping washer forming an element of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4.

In accordance with my invention an electrode is held by a plurality of members having electrode passageways and abutting end surfaces so related to one another that these surfaces are about the arcing terminal of an electrode. My

invention is, however, not limited to use in gasarc torches since it may be used for holding an electrode of any apparatus employed 'in welding, heating, lighting or other applications.

It is an object of.my invention to provide an electrode holder of compact'and simplified construction. r

It an object otmy invention to provide an electrode'holder which is readily contained in the nomle of a gas-arc torch.

angularly disposed relatively to one another when said members are aligned by an electrode extending through their electrode passageways. These members are contained within a receptacle which holds them for relative movement lengthwise of an electrode extending through their electrode passageways andwhich holds one of them for tilting movement which brings opposite walls of its electrode passageway into clamping engagement with opposite sides of the electrode extending therethrough. Means are provided for imparting lengthwise relative movement to these members and thereby bringing their abutting endsurfaces into forceful engage- It is another object or my invention to provide an, electrode clamping arrangement. one element of which may be'addedto a structure such as shown in U. S. Letters Patent No.

- 2,014,226 James T. Gatlett, granted September 10, 1935, to adapt it iorgholding an electrode damage resulting from exposure to wear, de-

structive heating or some other incapacitating influence. Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description of the two embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

ment with one another to impart tilting movement to one of them and bring opposite side walls of its electrode passageway into clamping engagement with the electrode extending through these members. In a gas-arc torch these members may be contained within a nozzle through which gas is supplied by a passageway to an opening in its tip from which the gas is discharged about the arcing terminal of the electrode extending through the noule and projecting through the opening in its tip.

In the atomic hydrogen torch shown in Fig. l electrodes l and 2 are supported in combined electrode'holders and gas nozzles Sand 4 which are independently supported on tubes '5 and which project from a handle 1. Electrode holder. and nozzlel is connected to a lever 8 by rods 9 and I0 which are connected and electrically insulated from one another by'a member I I. Thi

lever is pivoted to a bracket l2 mounted on a guard l3 forming part of handle 1. Movement of lever B consequently moves electrode 2 supported in' electrode holder and nozzle 4 relative to electrode I supported in electrode holder and nozzle Fig. 1 or this drawing is a side view or an 56 3. This limited movement is made possible by .nozzles 3 and 4 through tubes 5 and 6 by means of connections within the end portion of the handle 1 which has not been illustrated in the drawing.

One construction of the combined electrode the upper end of collet I 5 by the beveled end sur-' face of the electrode passageway through the collet. The end surface of the flanged portion of member 14 is located at an oblique angle to the end surface of thumb nut 22 when the parts are aligned by an electrode extending through the electrode passageways .in collet l5, member 14 I and thumb screw 22. The end surface of thumb holders and nozzles a and 4 is il1ustrated in the sectional view of Fig. '2. Except for member I4 whichhas been shown in perspective in Fig. 3

the arrangement of partsis the same as that illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,014,226-James T. Catlett, granted September 10, 1935. By the addition of member 14, the structure of this patent is adapted for holding an l electrode of smaller size than that for which the collet clamp of this patent is suited. The addition of member II also adapts the structure of this patent for holding electrodes of a size for which the collet clamp of the patent is normally suited but for which it has become unsuited due to damage resulting from exposure to wear, destructive "heating or some other incapacitating influence. f

The structure before modification comprises a collet l5 which is located within a nozzle I6. This nozzle terminates in a tip" I! which forms with Y the discharge end of the nozzle a chamber havmg a discharge opening I8 greater in size than the electrode supported therein. The electrode is centered in this opening ill by collet l5 which is slotted at its lower end to form clamping jaws Is for the electrode. Nozzle I6 is provided- .with an internal wedging' surface against which an external wedging surface 2| at the jaws IQ of the collet I5 is intended to cooperate and force these aws into engagement with the electrode extending therethrough when collet I5 is given a lengthwise movement. Thumb screw 22 port an electrode of smaller size than thatfor which the collet is adapted, this may be accomplished in accordance with my invention by inserting member I} between the adjacent ends of thumb screw 22 and collet l5. In order to provide'a cavity of sumcient' size therefor the length of the threaded portion of screw 22 has been reduced.

. Member ll comprises a washer 23 and a resilscrew 22 which is brought into abutting engagement with the flanged end portion of member M has an end surface at right angles to the longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough. Con.-

I sequently, as the thumb screw is threaded into which is threaded into the upper inside surface of nozzle lent tube 25 each of which has a longitudinal electrode passageway 24 therethrough. Tubefl'i is integral with and mounted on one end of washer 23 sothat the longitudinal axis of the passageway through it and washer 23 forms an oblique angle with the surface of the other end of the washer. 4 In the arrangement illustrated tube 25 is a helical spring whose coils abut one another so that'lengthwise deformation of the spring is prevented. It is, however, free to yield in a lateral direction and thus prevent any concentration of clamping forces which might be sethehelical spring or flexible As shown in in. 2 the unflanged end of member I4 is seated in-a cup-like socket formed in the nozzle and advanced longitudinally of the electrode extending therethrough its end surface is brought into forceful engagement with the flanged end surface of member 14 and tilts this member so that its flexible .and resilient tube portion which has the same bodily movement is tilted into clamping engagement with opposite side walls of the electrode extending through its longitudinal electrode passageway. It is to be noted that the space between thumb screw 22 and collet l5 in the upper portion of nozzle l6 form a cavity within which this member is mounted for tilting movement imparted thereto by deflecting its flanged end surface toward a position at right angles with the longitudinal axis of the electrode extending through the passageway in this member.

- Gas is supplied to nozzle l6 through an arm 26 which also acts as a support for the nozzle. This arm is attached to a connection '21 atthe end of tube through which gas and electricity are sup plied. Gas is supplied to the chamber within nozzle Hi from the passageway in tubes 5 or 6 and their connections 21 by a passageway 29 extending from the side walls of screw 28 near its head to its tip within arm 26. Gas'ls supplied from the chamber withinnozzle It to the chamber within tip I! through the slotted end portion of collet l5. These slots form gas passageways ex-- tending past the seating surfaces between the collet sleeve and the nozzle and form part of the gas passageway through the nozzle to the opening in its tip Il. Gas supplied to the nozzle tip is discharged about electrode 2 and totally envelops its arcing terminal portion.

It is apparent that the construction of the combined electrode holder and nozzle is such that electricity will be supplied to the electrode support therein in view of the fact that the various parts are formed of metal and are conductors of electricity.

In view of what has been stated above, the operation of applicant's invention is believed to be apparent. Briefly, the clamping action depends on the tilting movement imparted to member 14 which is inserted between collet I5 and thumb screw 22. The physical structure of member ll is such that an electrode extending through the electrode passageways in collet member l5, membet I and thumb screw 22 positions the flanged end surface of member M at an angle to the end of tl'nnnb screw 22 which is in abutting eng s ment therewith. Forceful enga emelflt of these abutting surfaces til member I4 and brings opside walls of the therethrough it for further; use.

noted that when an electrode become so short that. its upper end passes into the nozzle beyond the passageway in thumb screw 22, gas will escape way in thumb nut 22. By'the use of clamping member l4, however, a'new length of electrode may be inserted through the passageway in thumb nut 22 and held by member l4 while the normally discarded stubend of the old electrode is clamped in the nozzle by collet |5. Consequently, the presence of member. H in combina tion with a collet I5 which is useful for its intended purpose makes it possible to use electrode material more economicallyfor previously discarded stub ends of electrodes can be used until their length is reduced until the clamping jaws of collet 5 can no longer engage them.

Thus member M or its equivalent in the combination illustrated not only serves to recondition the combination to which it is added but also bers 30 and 32 serve to center the electrode in p .the nozzle in the same manner as collet l5 of Fig. 2. Otherwise the parts of Fig. 4 are the same asthose of Fig. 2 and like reference numbers have been applied; It is to be noted, however, that the end surface of thumb screw 22 of Fig. 2 has been removed to provide a cavity for member I whereas in Fig. 4 it has not been necessary to make this modification.

Sleeve 30 forms a support or abutment for member 3| and sleeve 32 transmits the lengthwise movement of thumb screw 22 to member II. The side wall surface of sleeve 30 has been slotted to provide gas passageways into nozzle tip I1 and the lower sidewalls and end portion of sleeve 32 have been slotted to formg'as passageways lengthwise of nozzle l6. Member 3| 'has also been slotted at its ends and sides to facilitate the passage of gas thereby. member is shown in perspective view in Fig. 5.

Member 3| like member ll of Fig. 2 is in efiect a washer having a longitudinal electrode passageway which extends therethrough at an oblique angle to its end surfaces) When the elec- 'trode passageways through members 30, 3| and 32 are aligned by an electrode extending therethrough, the end surfaces of washer 3| are positioned at oblique angles to the abutting end surfaces of members SI and 32 which are positioned at right angles to their electrode passageways. Consequently, when members 30 and 32 are moved lengthwise toward one another by the.

application of pressure to the upper end of mem- 7 bringing said end her 32 by thumb screw 22, member 3|. is tilted and brought into clamping engagement with the electrode extending through its passageway.

By locating clamping member 3| near the tip portion of the nozzle, current is introduced into the electrode at.a point nearer its arcing terminal than in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2.

Other arrangements embodying applicant's invention will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the clamping washer may have end surfaces at right angles to the longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough and members 3| through this passageway. Consequently, it has been the practice to discard an electrode when itsv length becomes insuflicient'to close th passageand 32 may have end surfaces which form an oblique angle with the longitudinal electrode passageways therethrough. If washer 3| is supported for tilting movement only one end surface of either member 3|! or 32 need be disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough. a

It is obvious thatthe arrangement of parts above described need not be located within a nozzle member since any suitable receptacle may be provided for holding them. Furthermore, the connection between the receptacle and these parts by means or which their abutting end surfaces are brought into forceful engagement with one another need not be the threaded connection existing between thumb screw 22 and nozzle I6 since any other suitable arrangement may be provided.

It is thus apparent that my invention is not limited to the particular detailed-constructions parting from the teachings of my invention. '1

a receptacle which holds one of said members a for movement lengthwise of an electrode extending through said passageways in said members and which holds the other of said members for tilting movement which brings the walls of its said passageway into clamping engagement with 7 said electrode, and a connection between said re-' ceptacle and said one member by means of which said one member is moved lengthwise of an electrode extending through its said passageway to bring said angularly disposed abutting end surfaces of said members into forceful enagement with one another and thereby impart electrode clamping tilting of said members. l

I 2. An electrode holder comprising a member having a longitudinal electrode passageway which extends therethrough at an oblique angle to an end surface thereof, a support in" which said member is mounted for tilting movement which brings opposite side walls of its said passageway movement to theother into clamping engagement with an electrode extending therethrough, a second member having an end surface at right angles to a longitudi I nal electrodepassageway therethrough, and means for moving said second member and said support relatively to one another and thereby of said members into forceful abutting engagement' with one ano her an 'end surface angularly disposed to and abutting the end surface of said clamping member forrtilting and bringing it into clamping engagement with an electrode extending therethrough lengthwise of said support.

4. An electrode holder comprising a tubular member, a screw having a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough, a washer tiltably supported in said tubular member and having a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough, a resilient tube mounted on said washer for bodily movement therewith and having a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough which positions the abutting end surfaces of said screw and said washer at an angle to one another when they are aligned by an electrode extending through said passageways in said screw, said washer and said tube, and a threaded connection between said screw and said tubular member by means of which said abutting end surfaces of said screw and said washer are brought forcefully together to tilt said washer and bring said resilient tube tending therethrough.

5. An electrode holder comprising a, resilient tube having a flange at one end thereof and a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough which positions the end surface of said flange at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through said passageway, a support having a cavity within which said tube is mounted for tilting movement imparted thereto by deflecting its flanged end surface toward a pointo clamping engagement with an electrode exsition at right angles with the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through said electrode passageway in said tube, a member having an end surface at right angles to a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough, and a connection between said member and said support by means of which said end surface of said member is brought into forceful engagementrwith said end surface of said flange and tilts said position at right angles with the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through said passageway in said-spring, a screw having an end surface at right angles to a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough, and a threaded connection between said screw and said support by means of which. said end surface. of said screw.

is brought into forceful engagement with said into clamping engagement'with an electrode extending through said passageways in said screw and said spring.

'7. An electrode holder comprising a helical spring having a flange at one end thereof and a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough which positions the end surface of said flange at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through said passageway, a

support having a longitudinal electrode passageway terminating in a cupped socket which accommodates lateral movement of the other end of said spring when its flanged end is deflected toward a position at right angles with the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through said passageway in said spring, ascrew having an end surface at right angles to a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough, and a threaded connection between said screw and said support :by means of which said end surface of said screw is brought into engagement with said end surface of said flange and tilts said spring into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through said passageways in said screw, said support and said spring.

8.- An electrode holder for gas-arc torches comprising a nozzle having a gas passageway therein which terminates in an opening of greater size than the electrode extending through said nozzle and said opening, a guide member having an electrode passageway therethrough which centers an electrode in said nozzle opening, aclamping member supported on said guide member for tilting movement in said nozzle and having therethrough an electrode passageway opposite side walls of which are brought into clamping engagement with an electrode in said passageway by tilting movement of said member, means on and projecting from said nozzle and having an end surface angularly disposed to and abutting the end surface of said clamping member for tilting it into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through its said passageway lengthwise of said'nozzle, and an arm attached to said nozzle and having a gas passageway therein communijcating with said passageway in said nozzle.

9. An electrode holder for gas-arc torches comprising a nozzle terminating at one end in a tip having an opening therein of greater size than the electrode extendingthrough said nozzle and said tip, a sleeve seated in said nozzle and having gas passageways extending past the seating surfaces between said sleeve and said nozzle and an electrode passageway which centers an electrode in said opening in said tip of said nozzle, a member supported for tilting movement on the end of said sleeve and having an. end surface which is positioned at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through an electrode passageway extending lengthwise of I said member, a screw which is threaded into the other end of said nozzle and applies pressure to saidend surface of said member to tilt it into clamping engagementwith an electrode extending through its said passageway, andmeans' for pplyin as to said male and through said opening in its said on.

10. An electrode holder for gas-arc torches comprising amemb'e'r having aJongItudinal electrode passageway therethrough'which positions on end surface of said member at an oblique angle to'the longitudinal axis of an electrode extendingthi'ough said passageway, a nozzle within which said member is mounted for'tiltlng move-' end surface of said We and tilts Said spring 76 thereto bydeflecting its said end by means of whichsaid end surface of said secnd member is brought into engagement with said end surface of said first mentioned member and tilts said first mentioned member into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through said passageways in said members, and 'means for supplying gas to said nozzle and lengthwise of the end portion of an electrode extending through and projecting from said nozzle.

11. An electrode holder for gas-arc torches comprising a nozzle having a gas passageway therein which terminates in a tip having an opening of greater size than the electrode supported in said nozzle and extending through said opening, a washer tiltably supported in said nozzle and having a longitudinal electrode pas sageway therethrough, a member having a longitudinal electrode passageway therethrough and an end surface abutting the end surface of said washer, a resilient tube mounted on said washer for bodily movement therewith and having a 1ongitudinal electrode passageway therethrough which positions the end surfaces of said member and said washer at an angle to one another when they are aligned by an electrode extending through their said passageway, means in said nozzle for displacing said member lengthwise of said nozzle to bring the abutting end surfaces of said member and said washer forcibly together and thereby tilt said washer andbring said tube;

nozzle and through said opening in its said tip.

13. An electrode holder for gas-arc" torches comprising a nozzle having an internal wedging surface at its discharge end which forms a tip having an opening therein of greater size than the electrode extending through said nozzle and said tip, means for supplying gas through said nozzle and said opening in its said tip, a collet tube having at one end thereof a plurality of jaws with external wedging surfaces which engage the internal wedging surface of said nozzle, a clamping member supported on the other end of said collet for tilting movement in said nozzle and having therethrough an electrode passageway the opposite side walls of which are brought into clamping engagement with an electrode in said passageway by tilting movement of said member, and a screw threaded into the other end of said nozzle to form a substantially gas-tight closure therefor through which said electrode extends, said screw having an end surface angularly disposed to and abutting the end surfaceof said clamping member for tilting it into clamping en- I 'gagement with an electrode extending through its said tip, means for supplying gas through said comprising a nozzle terminating at one end in a tip having an opening therein of greater size than the electrode extending through said nozzle and said tip, a sleeve seated in said nozzle and having gas passageways extending, past the seating surfaces between said sleeve and said nozzle and an electrode passageway which centers an electrode in the opening in said tip of said nozzle, a helical spring one end of which is supported on the end of said sleeve and the other end of which has a flange whose end surface is positioned at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of an electrode extending through an electrode passageway extending lengthwise of said spring, a screw which is threaded into the other end of said nozzle and'applies pressure to said end surface of said flange to tilt said spring into clamping engagement with an electrode extending therethrough, and means for supplying gas to said nozzle andsaid opening in its said tip, anelectrode centering and clamping sleeve in said nozzle having atone end an external wedging surface cooperating with said internal wedging surface in said nozzle, said sleeve being slotted" to form passageways extending past said wedging surfaces and to form electrode clamping jaws in the end of said sleeve, a member supported for tilting movement on the other end of said sleeve and having an end surface which is positioned at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis. of an electrode extending through an electrode passageway extending lengthwise of said'member, and a screw forming for the other end of said nozzle a closure through which an electrode in said nozzle extends with substantially a gastight fit, said screw being'threaded into said nozzle and applying pressure to said end surface of said member to tilt it into clamping engage h pressure through said member to the unslotted end of said sleeve to force its said wedging sur faces against said wedging surface of said nozzle and deflect its said jaws into engagement with f an electrode extending therethrough.

' CHRISTIAN P. GIBBERT. 

